How to pronounce tangential
Say it like tan-JEN-chul. Tangential has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (JEN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce tangential. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- tan
- JEN
- chul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Tangential pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- tanKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- JENSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- chulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of tangential
American and British speakers say tangential in essentially the same way: /tænˈdʒɛntʃəl/ in the US and /tænˈdʒɛntʃəl/ in the UK.
British respelling: tan-JEN-chul.
What does tangential mean?
- Referring to a tangent, moving at a tangent to something.
- Merely touching, positioned as a tangent.
- Only indirectly related.“That subject is tangential to our discussion, and we cannot let it distract us.”
Where does tangential come from?
From tangent + -ial.
Words that rhyme with tangential
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of tangential.
Questions about saying tangential
How do you pronounce tangential?
Say tan-JEN-chul. The American pronunciation is /tænˈdʒɛntʃəl/. In British English it is /tænˈdʒɛntʃəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in tangential?
Tangential has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (JEN). Broken into parts: tan · JEN · chul.
Do Americans and Brits say tangential the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /tænˈdʒɛntʃəl/ and the British form is /tænˈdʒɛntʃəl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.